Walking The Green Mile.

[Les D]

David Moyes is in a quandary regarding what team to field tonight, against Chelsea.

This (immediately below) is from the official site, and my thoughts are beneath that :-

David Moyes could rest some players in Wednesday's game with Chelsea.

Everton played for 120 minutes in their penalties win over Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday.

And the manager admitted the game has taken it's toll on his players.

But he stressed that he is yet to decide on any likely changes.

Brazilian striker Jo is eligible after he was cup-tied for the Cup clash.

Mikel Arteta, Yakubu, Victor Anichebe and Nuno Valente were all present at Wembley to support their teammates - but they remain sidelined.

James Vaughan is in contention though after his FA Cup cameo.

"People know it is not normally my way. Am I tempted to rest? It is a consideration for me because of the 120 minutes," said Moyes.

"I have a few ideas but I'm not totally decided what I'm going to do yet."

Everton: Howard, Nash, Hibbert, Baines, Jagielka, Lescott, Osman, Rodwell, Fellaini, Cahill, Pienaar, Vaughan, Neville, Saha, Jo, Castillo, Gosling, Yobo, Jacobsen, Baxter, Wallace.


I would field :-

Nash.
Jacobsen.
Yobo.
Lescott.
Baines.
Castillo.
Wallace.
Rodwell.
Gosling.
Baxter.
Jo.


a) If David Moyes did this, would he be fined for playing a vastly understrength team.
b) The points/or the the losing of points, really, are immaterial to us.
c) Losing tonight won't mean WHU or Fulham or Spurs will gain any ground on us.
d) The vast majority who played on Sunday (gone) must be mentally & physically shattered.
e) Let's keep our FA Cup Final team a secret.
f) Our next game against Man.City (h) is much more winnable than tonight -- so why bust a gut tonight. Keep some gunpowder fresh for this Saturday.
g) There is the possibility Guus Hiddink might do a 'Sir Lex', and play a weakened side tonight also.

We are playing Chelsea tonight but d'yer know -- we have bigger fish to fry.

 

[Goat]

I would field the reserves.

a) Of course not, football is a squad game, as proved by countless teams over the course of a season.
b) We want to win every game, but some games are more important than others. Chelsea away is tough for every team in Europe.
c) Nope.
d) Jep
e) I dont really think our Cup Final team needs to much thought, its basically the same 11 as Sunday, baring any injuries or in Fellainis case, suspension.
f ) Yepo.
g) Very unlikely. Roman will be there, he will want Ze Trophy.

Good post, I like lettered/numbered points I can address, you dont see enough of that.

 

[Les D]

Cheers for those answers, MikekG.

Regarding e), could James Vaughan force himself into the front-line with much needed match fitness and maybe more importantly, a blue-hot scoring streak for the Final.

 

[Goat]

I would have thought Saha would start again, if hes fit, otherwise I would love to see Vaughan start, the lad deserves a break. Hopefully something he hasnt already broken tho! I kid, I kid.

Personally, I would pick Vaughan ahead of Saha, but hey thats just me.

 

[Les D]

Personally, I would pick Vaughan ahead of Saha, but hey thats just me.


I agree, I think it was there for all to see on Sunday -- classy centre-halves are just too good for poor old, aching bones, Louis. That might be a harst statement but I'll stick with it.












LMS

 

[Jondi10]

I don't think he'll go for that drastic a squad change. I think it'll look more like this

Howard
Jacobsen-Yobo/Jags-Lescott/Yobo-Baines/Lescott
Gosling-Castillo-Rodwell-Peanut
Vaughan-Jo

 

[Goat]

I cant see wholesale changes myself, its not Moyes style. I would to like see it tho, would show how far we have come, "Everton field an understrength team and win". Would make a lovely headline.

 

[McBain]

Chuck the ressies in.

Give the first team a break for the City game.

 

[Scottoffee]

Can see Osman and/or Pienaar getting a rest - they've been running about like Energizer Bunnies for 90 (or 120) min for months now... Everyone else should be good to go, nobody else covers half as much ground in a match as they do.

But then again, we could win if we field our strongest side - whereas seeing how inexplicably poor they are away from home, we could have our ladies do one over City!.

 

[Robert Jarvis]

Will be interesting. I can see Pienaar and Cahill being rested and may well keep Moro on the bench to come on later. Upfront I think Jo, Saha and Vaughan will all feature at some time in the game. Midfield will be Neville, Rodwell and Gosling, back four will probably change to bring Yobo in and Jags out. But heaven help us if Yobo plays??? When he has played of late seems to be well out of touch.

 

[Robin Sisland]

No one's entioned VDM - so I will.
Osman clearly needs resting and other than his goal Gosling has been pretty anonymous when he has come on.
Time to remember whose pass set him up and upset Chelsea's game plan with a real right winger. Rodwell can switch with Neville who can take peanuts place, with Vaughan and Jo taking the two front spots.
I am undecided about Yobo - but if either of the centre backs is ailing he should step in.
Rested players to the bench with Gosling and Nash.

 

[ChicagoToffee]

I don't see many players getting rested today. Moyes has got the lads on a roll and he doesn't want to take the steam out of it by fielding an understrength side. Field the full strength side, win at Stamford Bridge and play with growing confidence all the way until the Cup Final!!!!

 

[Les D]

I don't see many players getting rested today. Moyes has got the lads on a roll and he doesn't want to take the steam out of it by fielding an understrength side. Field the full strength side, win at Stamford Bridge and play with growing confidence all the way until the Cup Final!!!!

Well that certainly is 'the air of confidence', Chicago -- Chicago, a hell of a Town.

Remeber though, David Moyes has one hell of a task on his hands :-

David Moyes has yet to record a victory against Chelsea as a manager (19 matches with Everton and one with Preston).

:blink:​

 

[Neiler]

A mix of youth and expierence id say. I dont care when but i want to see a team with Fellaini and Vaughan.



Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy.